US20090032381A1 - Switch with electrical member supported in elastic folded contact - Google Patents
Switch with electrical member supported in elastic folded contact Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090032381A1 US20090032381A1 US12/221,600 US22160008A US2009032381A1 US 20090032381 A1 US20090032381 A1 US 20090032381A1 US 22160008 A US22160008 A US 22160008A US 2009032381 A1 US2009032381 A1 US 2009032381A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pair
- contact
- switch
- insulative housing
- engaging
- Prior art date
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Links
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/02—Details
- H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
- H01H13/48—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using buckling of disc springs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
- H01H2001/5888—Terminals of surface mounted devices [SMD]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
- H01H2219/04—Attachments; Connections
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a switch, and particularly to a switch provided with an electrical member such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), used in various electronic devices.
- an electrical member such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), used in various electronic devices.
- LED Light Emitting Diode
- a conventional switch provided with a light source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,429 published on Apr. 10, 2007 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,805 published on Feb. 19, 2008.
- the U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,429 disclose a switching device, includes a vertically moveable operating member with a cavity in which a light lies. The light is supported on tongues of a pair of sheet metal energizing members. Each energizing member has laterally opposite sides that form a pair of legs. The legs extend downward along opposite sides of the switch casing, and the legs have lugs at their lower ends for soldering to traces on a circuit board.
- a switch comprises an insulative housing defining a cavity, a first, a pair of second and a third fixed terminals embedded in the insulative housing, a movable contact retained in the cavity of the insulative housing, an operator exposed above the movable contact, a retention portion positioned on the operator, an LED located above the retention portion, an actuator assembled to the insulative housing, a cover attached to a top of the insulative housing, and a gasket interposed between the insulative housing and the cover.
- the insulative housing has two fixing portions respectively defined in a pair of opposite sidewalls, and the LED has a pair of cantilevered arms respectively contacting with the second fixed terminals and fixed in the fixing portions of the insulative housing for immovably fastening the LED to the insulative housing.
- the movable contact When the operator is downwardly pushed by the actuator to thereby depress the movable contact, the movable contact has a central contact portion thereof being downwardly depressed for contacting with the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.
- a primary object of the present invention is to provide a switch for increasing success ratio in assembly.
- a switch comprises an insulative housing having a pair of fixing grooves defined in a pair of opposite sidewalls, a first, a second and a third fixed terminals respectively provided with a first contact portion, a pair of second contact portions and a pair of third contact portions exposed to outside, a movable contact to be in contact with the third contact portions, an operator capable of depressing the movable contact, a pair of connecting contact respectively having a spring portion connecting with the second contact portion and a fixing portion opposite to the spring portion, a LED having a pair of leads respectively fixed in the fixing portions of the connecting contacts for fastening the LED to the insulative housing, and an actuator adapted for driving the operator to downwardly depress the movable contact.
- said movable contact contacting with the third fixed terminals has a central contact portion downwardly depressed by the operator for contacting with the first contact portion of the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.
- the LED always connects with the second terminal by the connecting contact, and the connecting contact defines the spring portion for the connecting contact to flexibly inserted in the fixing groove of the insulative housing and reducing the burst probability of the fixing groove. It is beneficial for switch to reliably reduce fraction defective in assembly.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a switch in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connecting terminal as shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an assembled, perspective view of the switch as shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 in FIG. 3 .
- a switch 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted for electrically connecting with an electrical member 17 , also called the LED 17 .
- the switch 100 may also be used for other kinds of electrical member in other embodiments.
- the switch 100 comprises an insulative housing 11 defining a cavity 110 , a plurality of fixed terminals 12 embedded in the insulative housing 11 , a movable contact 13 retained in the cavity 110 of the insulative housing 11 , an operator 14 exposed above the movable contact 13 , a retention member 15 positioned on the operator 14 , a pair of intermediate connecting contacts 16 , also called the elastic folded contact 16 , respectively defined on either hand of the retention member 15 , an LED 17 located above the retention member 15 , an actuator 18 assembled to the insulative housing 11 , a cover 20 attached to a top of the insulative housing 11 , and a gasket 19 interposed between the insulative housing 11 and the cover 20 .
- the insulative housing 11 is a substantially rectangular case, comprising a bottom wall 111 , a pair of opposite periphery walls 112 and a pair of opposite side walls 113 raising upwardly from the bottom wall 111 to thereby define the cavity 110 therebetween.
- Each periphery wall 112 has an engaging slot 1121 defined thereon in a top-to-bottom direction.
- the pair of side walls 113 respectively have a first recess 1131 having a semi-curved surface defined in an inner surface thereof and a tuber 114 formed at an outer surface thereof.
- the cavity 110 has four rectangular second recesses 115 defined at four corners thereof, and a pair of fixing grooves 116 respectively surrounding corresponding engaging slots 1121 .
- Each fixing groove 116 defines an insertion slot 1161 communicating with the engaging slot 1121 and an extension wall (not labeled) spaced from said periphery wall 112 .
- the plurality of fixed terminals 12 each comprises a first fixed terminal 121 , a second fixed terminal 122 , and a third fixed terminal 123 .
- the first fixed terminal 121 is formed with a center portion 1211 extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of first soldering portions 1212 extending laterally along an extending direction of the center portion 1211 .
- the center portion 1211 has a first contact portion 1213 protruding perpendicularly from a center portion 1211 thereof.
- the second fixed terminal 122 has a pair of second soldering portions 1221 extending parallel to the first soldering portions 1212 , and a pair of second contact portions 1222 raising perpendicularly to inner ends of the second soldering portions 1221 .
- the third fixed terminal 123 has a pair of third soldering portions 1231 extending parallel to the second soldering portions 1221 , a pair of third contact portions 1232 bending obliquely from inner ends of the third soldering portions 1231 .
- the dome-like movable contact 13 comprises a central contact portion 131 and four periphery contact portions 132 symmetrically formed around the central contact portion 131 .
- the operator 14 comprises a button 141 having a beveled surface and four projection beams 142 projecting radially from a lower portion of the button 141 .
- the retention member 15 is formed with a body portion 151 having a curved outer surface for corresponding to the first recesses 1131 , a pair of indentations 153 symmetrically defined thereon, and a pair of engaging portions 152 symmetrically formed at an outer surface of the body portion 151 .
- the intermediate connecting contact 16 retainably disposed within each said groove 116 , and the intermediate connecting contact has a plate base 160 abutting against said extension wall, a fixing portion 162 attached onto an upper end of the plate base 160 for clamping each said upholding lead 172 of the electrical member 17 , and an spring portion 161 reversely extending from an opposite bottom end of the plate base 160 and designed to mechanically and electrically engage the contact portion 1222 of the second terminal 122 .
- the fixing portion 162 is suspended on an upper end of the extension wall, and has a space room 163 to receive the lead 172 of the LED 17 .
- the LED 17 comprises a light source 171 and a pair of substantially Z-shaped leads 172 extending downwardly from the light source 171 for insertion into the fixing portion 162 of the connecting contact 16 and for fixing the LED 17 in the cavity 110 .
- the leads 172 of the LED 17 are respectively located outside of said fixing grooves 116 .
- the actuator 18 comprises a cylindrical base portion 182 , and an upper portion 181 having a diameter smaller than that of the base portion 182 .
- the base portion 182 has four protrusions 184 symmetrically formed around an outer surface thereof, and four cutouts 183 each defined between a pair of adjacent protrusions 184 .
- the cover 20 comprises a top face 201 defining an extension hole 202 , and a pair of bent faces 203 extending downwardly from a pair of opposite sides of the top face 201 .
- Each bent face 203 has an engaging groove 204 defined thereon for engaging with the tubers 114 of the insulative housing 11 .
- the gasket 19 is substantially a rectangular board, comprising a board portion 191 and a circular mounting hole 192 defined therein.
- the plurality of fixed terminals 12 are assembled to the insulative housing 11 by insert molding, with the first, second and third soldering portions 121 , 122 , 123 thereof extending outside of the insulative housing 11 .
- the first fixed terminal 121 is disposed in the insulative housing 11 , with the center portion 1211 thereof embedded in the bottom wall 111 while the first contact portion 1213 thereof exposed in the cavity 110 .
- the second fixed terminals 122 are mounted on the insulative housing 11 , with the second contact portions 1222 thereof exposed in the fixing grooves 116 for contacting with the spring portion 161 of the connecting contact 16 .
- the third fixed terminals 123 , and the third contact portions 1232 are accommodated in the second recesses 115 and exposed in the cavity 110 .
- the movable contact 13 is disposed on the bottom wall 111 of the insulative housing 11 , with a pair of periphery contact portions 112 thereof engaging with corresponding second recesses 115 and contacting with the third contact portions 1232 of the third fixed terminals 123 , and with the central contact portion 131 positioned a certain distance above the first contact portion 1213 .
- the operator 14 is received in the cavity 110 , with the button 141 thereof positioned above the central contact portion 1213 , and the projection beams 142 thereof retained in the second recesses 115 and corresponding to the periphery contact portions 132 .
- the connecting contact 16 is received in the fixing groove 116 of the insulative housing 11 by the spring portion 161 .
- the retention member 15 is mounted on the operator 14 , with a lower surface of the body portion 151 being resisted against by the button 141 , and with the engaging portions 152 engaging with the first recesses 1131 .
- the LED 17 is fastened to the insulative housing 11 , with the light source 171 thereof exposed above the retention member 15 , and the leads 172 thereof extending through the indentations 153 and then being inserted into the fixing portions 162 for contacting with the second contact portions 1222 .
- the actuator 18 is fixed on the retention member 15 , with the cutouts 183 thereof engaging with the engaging portions 152 .
- the base portion 182 engages with the first recesses 1131 , and the protrusions 184 are inserted into the corresponding second recesses 115 .
- the light source 171 is received in the actuator 18 .
- the gasket 19 is interposed between the cover 20 and the insulative housing 11 to ensure a proper sealing therebetween.
- the engaging grooves 184 thereof engage with the tubers 114 .
- the actuator 18 extends outwardly through the mounting hole 192 and the extension hole 202 in sequence.
- the switch 100 is assembled as a whole finally.
- the actuator 18 is downwardly pushed by exerting an external force thereon.
- the retention member 15 and therefore the button 141 are urged downwardly for depressing the central contact portion 131 of the movable contact 13 .
- the LED 17 does not move even though the retention member 15 positioned therebelow moves downwardly.
- the movable contact 13 contacting with the third contact portion 1231 of the third fixed terminal 123 in a normal position is then forced to deform and have the central contact portion 131 downwardly depressed for contacting with the first contact portion 1213 of the first fixed terminal 121 to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals 121 , 123 .
- the switch 100 restores itself to a normal position due to a resilient force from a deformation of the movable contact 13 and the button 141 .
- the LED 17 always connects with the second terminal 122 by the connecting contact 16 , and the connecting contact 16 defines the spring portion 161 for the connecting contact 16 to flexibly inserted in the fixing groove 116 of the insulative housing 11 and reducing the burst probability of the fixing groove 116 . It is beneficial for switch 100 to reliably reduce fraction defective in assembly.
- the actuator 18 has an engaging portion (not shown) formed at a lower portion thereof for engaging with the operator 14 .
- the switch 100 is assembled as a whole, with the retention member 15 being removed.
- the operator 14 could be downwardly pushed by the actuator 18 directly to thereby depress the movable contact 13 , due to an engagement between the operator 14 and the engaging portion of the actuator 18 .
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- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
Abstract
A switch at least comprises a housing, an electrical member, a terminal and a connecting contact. The housing defining a cavity that includes two opposite sidewalls, and a pair of fixing grooves each defined by said sidewall and an extension wall spaced from said sidewall. The electrical member having a pair of leads disposed within said cavity. The terminal retained in the housing and having a contact portion abutting against said sidewall. The connecting contact retainably disposed within each said groove, and the connecting contact has a plate base abutting against said extension wall, a fixing portion attached onto an upper end of the plate base for clamping each said lead of the electrical member, and an spring portion reversely extending from an opposite bottom end of the plate base and designed to mechanically and electrically engage the contact portion of the second terminal.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a switch, and particularly to a switch provided with an electrical member such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED), used in various electronic devices.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- A conventional switch provided with a light source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,429 published on Apr. 10, 2007 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,805 published on Feb. 19, 2008. The U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,429 disclose a switching device, includes a vertically moveable operating member with a cavity in which a light lies. The light is supported on tongues of a pair of sheet metal energizing members. Each energizing member has laterally opposite sides that form a pair of legs. The legs extend downward along opposite sides of the switch casing, and the legs have lugs at their lower ends for soldering to traces on a circuit board. The U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,805 disclose a switch, comprises an insulative housing defining a cavity, a first, a pair of second and a third fixed terminals embedded in the insulative housing, a movable contact retained in the cavity of the insulative housing, an operator exposed above the movable contact, a retention portion positioned on the operator, an LED located above the retention portion, an actuator assembled to the insulative housing, a cover attached to a top of the insulative housing, and a gasket interposed between the insulative housing and the cover. The insulative housing has two fixing portions respectively defined in a pair of opposite sidewalls, and the LED has a pair of cantilevered arms respectively contacting with the second fixed terminals and fixed in the fixing portions of the insulative housing for immovably fastening the LED to the insulative housing. When the operator is downwardly pushed by the actuator to thereby depress the movable contact, the movable contact has a central contact portion thereof being downwardly depressed for contacting with the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.
- Take the U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,805, and in fact for assuring of the electrical connection between the second fixed terminals and the cantilevered arms of the LED, the capacity of the fixing portion just enough to receive the cantilevered arm of the LED. But due to this reason in assembly, the cantilevered arm of the LED may burst the fixing portion of the housing.
- Hence, an improved electrical connector is required to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the related art.
- A primary object of the present invention is to provide a switch for increasing success ratio in assembly.
- To achieve the aforementioned object, a switch comprises an insulative housing having a pair of fixing grooves defined in a pair of opposite sidewalls, a first, a second and a third fixed terminals respectively provided with a first contact portion, a pair of second contact portions and a pair of third contact portions exposed to outside, a movable contact to be in contact with the third contact portions, an operator capable of depressing the movable contact, a pair of connecting contact respectively having a spring portion connecting with the second contact portion and a fixing portion opposite to the spring portion, a LED having a pair of leads respectively fixed in the fixing portions of the connecting contacts for fastening the LED to the insulative housing, and an actuator adapted for driving the operator to downwardly depress the movable contact. When the operator is downwardly pushed by the actuator, said movable contact contacting with the third fixed terminals has a central contact portion downwardly depressed by the operator for contacting with the first contact portion of the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.
- The LED always connects with the second terminal by the connecting contact, and the connecting contact defines the spring portion for the connecting contact to flexibly inserted in the fixing groove of the insulative housing and reducing the burst probability of the fixing groove. It is beneficial for switch to reliably reduce fraction defective in assembly.
- Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a switch in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connecting terminal as shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an assembled, perspective view of the switch as shown inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 3 . - Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. Referring to
FIG. 1 , aswitch 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted for electrically connecting with anelectrical member 17, also called theLED 17. In fact, theswitch 100 may also be used for other kinds of electrical member in other embodiments. Theswitch 100 comprises aninsulative housing 11 defining acavity 110, a plurality offixed terminals 12 embedded in theinsulative housing 11, amovable contact 13 retained in thecavity 110 of theinsulative housing 11, anoperator 14 exposed above themovable contact 13, aretention member 15 positioned on theoperator 14, a pair of intermediate connectingcontacts 16, also called the elastic foldedcontact 16, respectively defined on either hand of theretention member 15, anLED 17 located above theretention member 15, anactuator 18 assembled to theinsulative housing 11, acover 20 attached to a top of theinsulative housing 11, and agasket 19 interposed between theinsulative housing 11 and thecover 20. - Referring to
FIG. 4 in conjunction withFIG. 1 , theinsulative housing 11 is a substantially rectangular case, comprising abottom wall 111, a pair ofopposite periphery walls 112 and a pair ofopposite side walls 113 raising upwardly from thebottom wall 111 to thereby define thecavity 110 therebetween. Eachperiphery wall 112 has anengaging slot 1121 defined thereon in a top-to-bottom direction. The pair ofside walls 113 respectively have afirst recess 1131 having a semi-curved surface defined in an inner surface thereof and atuber 114 formed at an outer surface thereof. Thecavity 110 has four rectangularsecond recesses 115 defined at four corners thereof, and a pair offixing grooves 116 respectively surrounding correspondingengaging slots 1121. Eachfixing groove 116 defines aninsertion slot 1161 communicating with theengaging slot 1121 and an extension wall (not labeled) spaced from saidperiphery wall 112. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the plurality offixed terminals 12 each comprises a firstfixed terminal 121, a secondfixed terminal 122, and a thirdfixed terminal 123. The firstfixed terminal 121 is formed with acenter portion 1211 extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of firstsoldering portions 1212 extending laterally along an extending direction of thecenter portion 1211. Thecenter portion 1211 has afirst contact portion 1213 protruding perpendicularly from acenter portion 1211 thereof. The secondfixed terminal 122 has a pair of second solderingportions 1221 extending parallel to the first solderingportions 1212, and a pair ofsecond contact portions 1222 raising perpendicularly to inner ends of the second solderingportions 1221. The thirdfixed terminal 123 has a pair of third solderingportions 1231 extending parallel to the second solderingportions 1221, a pair ofthird contact portions 1232 bending obliquely from inner ends of the third solderingportions 1231. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the dome-likemovable contact 13 comprises acentral contact portion 131 and fourperiphery contact portions 132 symmetrically formed around thecentral contact portion 131. - The
operator 14 comprises abutton 141 having a beveled surface and fourprojection beams 142 projecting radially from a lower portion of thebutton 141. - The
retention member 15 is formed with abody portion 151 having a curved outer surface for corresponding to thefirst recesses 1131, a pair ofindentations 153 symmetrically defined thereon, and a pair ofengaging portions 152 symmetrically formed at an outer surface of thebody portion 151. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , the intermediate connectingcontact 16 retainably disposed within each saidgroove 116, and the intermediate connecting contact has aplate base 160 abutting against said extension wall, afixing portion 162 attached onto an upper end of theplate base 160 for clamping each said upholdinglead 172 of theelectrical member 17, and anspring portion 161 reversely extending from an opposite bottom end of theplate base 160 and designed to mechanically and electrically engage thecontact portion 1222 of thesecond terminal 122. In addition, thefixing portion 162 is suspended on an upper end of the extension wall, and has aspace room 163 to receive thelead 172 of theLED 17. - The
LED 17 comprises alight source 171 and a pair of substantially Z-shaped leads 172 extending downwardly from thelight source 171 for insertion into thefixing portion 162 of the connectingcontact 16 and for fixing theLED 17 in thecavity 110. In addition, theleads 172 of theLED 17 are respectively located outside of saidfixing grooves 116. - The
actuator 18 comprises acylindrical base portion 182, and anupper portion 181 having a diameter smaller than that of thebase portion 182. Thebase portion 182 has fourprotrusions 184 symmetrically formed around an outer surface thereof, and fourcutouts 183 each defined between a pair ofadjacent protrusions 184. - The
cover 20 comprises atop face 201 defining anextension hole 202, and a pair ofbent faces 203 extending downwardly from a pair of opposite sides of thetop face 201. Eachbent face 203 has anengaging groove 204 defined thereon for engaging with thetubers 114 of theinsulative housing 11. - The
gasket 19 is substantially a rectangular board, comprising aboard portion 191 and acircular mounting hole 192 defined therein. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 , 3, 4, in assembly of theswitch 100, the plurality offixed terminals 12 are assembled to theinsulative housing 11 by insert molding, with the first, second and third solderingportions insulative housing 11. The firstfixed terminal 121 is disposed in theinsulative housing 11, with thecenter portion 1211 thereof embedded in thebottom wall 111 while thefirst contact portion 1213 thereof exposed in thecavity 110. The secondfixed terminals 122 are mounted on theinsulative housing 11, with thesecond contact portions 1222 thereof exposed in thefixing grooves 116 for contacting with thespring portion 161 of the connectingcontact 16. As for the thirdfixed terminals 123, and thethird contact portions 1232 are accommodated in thesecond recesses 115 and exposed in thecavity 110. - The
movable contact 13 is disposed on thebottom wall 111 of theinsulative housing 11, with a pair ofperiphery contact portions 112 thereof engaging with correspondingsecond recesses 115 and contacting with thethird contact portions 1232 of the thirdfixed terminals 123, and with thecentral contact portion 131 positioned a certain distance above thefirst contact portion 1213. Theoperator 14 is received in thecavity 110, with thebutton 141 thereof positioned above thecentral contact portion 1213, and the projection beams 142 thereof retained in thesecond recesses 115 and corresponding to theperiphery contact portions 132. The connectingcontact 16 is received in the fixinggroove 116 of theinsulative housing 11 by thespring portion 161. Theretention member 15 is mounted on theoperator 14, with a lower surface of thebody portion 151 being resisted against by thebutton 141, and with the engagingportions 152 engaging with thefirst recesses 1131. TheLED 17 is fastened to theinsulative housing 11, with thelight source 171 thereof exposed above theretention member 15, and theleads 172 thereof extending through theindentations 153 and then being inserted into the fixingportions 162 for contacting with thesecond contact portions 1222. - The
actuator 18 is fixed on theretention member 15, with thecutouts 183 thereof engaging with the engagingportions 152. Thebase portion 182 engages with thefirst recesses 1131, and theprotrusions 184 are inserted into the corresponding second recesses 115. Thelight source 171 is received in theactuator 18. Thegasket 19 is interposed between thecover 20 and theinsulative housing 11 to ensure a proper sealing therebetween. The engaginggrooves 184 thereof engage with thetubers 114. Theactuator 18 extends outwardly through the mountinghole 192 and theextension hole 202 in sequence. Theswitch 100 is assembled as a whole finally. - In operation, the
actuator 18 is downwardly pushed by exerting an external force thereon. Theretention member 15 and therefore thebutton 141 are urged downwardly for depressing thecentral contact portion 131 of themovable contact 13. TheLED 17 does not move even though theretention member 15 positioned therebelow moves downwardly. Themovable contact 13 contacting with thethird contact portion 1231 of the thirdfixed terminal 123 in a normal position is then forced to deform and have thecentral contact portion 131 downwardly depressed for contacting with thefirst contact portion 1213 of the firstfixed terminal 121 to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the thirdfixed terminals - When the external force is removed, the
switch 100 restores itself to a normal position due to a resilient force from a deformation of themovable contact 13 and thebutton 141. - In present invention, The
LED 17 always connects with thesecond terminal 122 by the connectingcontact 16, and the connectingcontact 16 defines thespring portion 161 for the connectingcontact 16 to flexibly inserted in the fixinggroove 116 of theinsulative housing 11 and reducing the burst probability of the fixinggroove 116. It is beneficial forswitch 100 to reliably reduce fraction defective in assembly. - Naturally, in another embodiment, the
actuator 18 has an engaging portion (not shown) formed at a lower portion thereof for engaging with theoperator 14. Theswitch 100 is assembled as a whole, with theretention member 15 being removed. In operation, theoperator 14 could be downwardly pushed by theactuator 18 directly to thereby depress themovable contact 13, due to an engagement between theoperator 14 and the engaging portion of theactuator 18. - However, the disclosure is illustrative only, changes may be made in detail, especially in matter of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention.
Claims (18)
1. A switch, comprising:
an insulative housing defining a cavity that includes two opposite side walls, and a pair of fixing grooves each defined by said side wall;
a plurality of fixed terminals embedded in the insulative housing, the fixed terminals comprising first, second and third fixed terminals respectively provided with a first contact portion, a pair of second contact portions and a pair of third contact portions exposed in the cavity;
a movable contact retained in the cavity and being contactable to said third contact portions of said third fixed terminal;
an electrical member having a pair of leads upholding the electrical member;
a pair of elastic folded contacts respectively retainably disposed within the fixing grooves of the insulative house, each with one end supportably clamping the lead of the electrical member, and another deflectable free end mechanically and electrically engagable with the second contact portion;
an actuator moveably assembled to the insulative housing; and
an operator positioned between the actuator and the movable contact;
wherein when the operator is downwardly pushed by the actuator to thereby depress the movable contact, said movable contact contacting with the third fixed terminal has a central contact portion thereof being downwardly depressed by the operator for contacting with the first contact portion of the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.
2. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said elastic folded contact has a plate base, a fixing portion attached onto an upper end of the plate base for supportably clamping each said upholding lead, and an spring portion reversely extending from an opposite bottom end of the plate base for mechanically and electrically engagable with the second contact portion of said second terminal.
3. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said lead of the electrical member is located outside of said fixing groove.
4. The switch as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the fixing portion has a space room to receive the lead of the electrical member.
5. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third fixed terminals respectively have a pair of first, second and third soldering portions extending outside of the insulative housing, said second contact portions rising perpendicularly to the second soldering portions.
6. The switch as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said insulative housing comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposite periphery walls and a pair of side walls rising from the bottom wall, each of said periphery walls respectively defining an engaging slot communicating with said fixing groove for engaging with the second contact portion.
7. The switch as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said insulative housing has a pair of first recesses defined on the side walls, and four second recesses defined at four corners thereof for engaging with the pair of third contact portions.
8. The switch as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said actuator comprises a base portion received in the cavity, and a plurality of protrusions formed around the base portion for engaging with the second recesses.
9. The switch as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising a retention member mounted between the actuator and the operator and provided with a pair of engaging portions, wherein said base portion has a pair of cutouts each defined between two adjacent protrusions for engaging with a corresponding engaging portion.
10. The switch as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said retention member is formed with a body portion, a pair of indentations symmetrically defined on the body portion for extension of the leads of the electrical member.
11. The switch as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said movable contact is formed as a dome-like shape and has two pairs of periphery contact portions formed around the central contact portion for engaging with the second recesses, and wherein one pair of periphery contact portions contact with the third contact portions.
12. The switch as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said operator is formed with a button adapted for depressing the central contact portion and a plurality of projection beams corresponding to the periphery contact portions of the movable contact.
13. The switch as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a cover attached to a top of the insulative housing, wherein said cover has a top wall defining an extension hole for extension of said actuator, a pair of periphery faces attaching to an outer face of the periphery walls, and a pair of bent portions defining a pair of engaging grooves for engaging with a pair of tubers formed on the side walls of the insulative housing.
14. A switch comprising:
an insulative housing defining a cavity that includes two opposite side walls;
a led device having a pair of upholding leads, which are at least partly received within said cavity;
a pair of external terminals retained in the insulative housing, each said external terminal having a contact portion engaging onto an inner face of each said side wall, and an extension leg disposed outside of the insulative housing; and
an elastic folded contact retainably disposed around each said side wall, said elastic folded contact having one end supportably clamping each of the upholding leads, and another deflectable end mechanically and electrically engagable with the contact portion of said external terminal.
15. The switch as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said elastic folded contact has a plate base, a fixing portion attached onto an upper end of the plate base for supportably clamping each said upholding lead, and an spring portion reversely extending from an opposite bottom end of the plate base for mechanically and electrically engagable with the contact portion of said external terminal.
16. The switch as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the insulative housing includes a pair of fixing grooves, each fixing grooves defined by each said side wall and an extension wall spaced from said side wall, each said elastic folded contact retainably disposed within said fixing groove.
17. The switch as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said elastic folded contact has a plate base abutting against said extension wall, and a spring portion reversely extending from a bottom end of the plate base for mechanically and electrically engaging with the contact portion of said external terminal.
18. A switch comprising:
an insulative housing;
a plurality of external contacts disposed in the housing;
an LED device disposed in the housing and including a pair of leads extending along a longitudinal direction along which the LED device is moveable relative to the housing;
a pair of connecting contacts disposed in the housing each with one section constantly mechanically and electrically engaged with the corresponding external contact, and another section constantly mechanically and electrically connected engaged with the corresponding lead of the LED device under a condition that engagement between said another section and said lead of the LED device is of a sliding manner.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN200720041188.X | 2007-08-03 | ||
CN200720041188U | 2007-08-03 | ||
CNU200720041188XU CN201084581Y (en) | 2007-08-03 | 2007-08-03 | Switch |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090032381A1 true US20090032381A1 (en) | 2009-02-05 |
US8383976B2 US8383976B2 (en) | 2013-02-26 |
Family
ID=39627053
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/221,600 Active 2031-12-15 US8383976B2 (en) | 2007-08-03 | 2008-08-04 | Switch with electrical member supported in elastic folded contact |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US8383976B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN201084581Y (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130228440A1 (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2013-09-05 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Input device |
US20140029275A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Ningbo Yofun Heating Appliance Co., Ltd. | Led mounting assembly |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102480287A (en) * | 2010-11-23 | 2012-05-30 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Positioning switch |
CN103166021B (en) * | 2011-12-09 | 2016-08-24 | 进联电子科技(上海)有限公司 | The terminal supportor structure of switch indication light seat |
US11557444B2 (en) * | 2020-06-04 | 2023-01-17 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Keyboard key switches |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4751385A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1988-06-14 | Cts Corporation | Lighted contact switch |
US7235754B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2007-06-26 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Switch device provided with a light source |
US7331805B1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-19 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Detect switch provided with an electrical member |
-
2007
- 2007-08-03 CN CNU200720041188XU patent/CN201084581Y/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2008
- 2008-08-04 US US12/221,600 patent/US8383976B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4751385A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1988-06-14 | Cts Corporation | Lighted contact switch |
US7235754B2 (en) * | 2003-09-12 | 2007-06-26 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Switch device provided with a light source |
US7331805B1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-19 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Detect switch provided with an electrical member |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130228440A1 (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2013-09-05 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Input device |
US8981247B2 (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2015-03-17 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Input device |
US20140029275A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Ningbo Yofun Heating Appliance Co., Ltd. | Led mounting assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8383976B2 (en) | 2013-02-26 |
CN201084581Y (en) | 2008-07-09 |
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